Escambia Man Convicted Of Conspiracy To Traffic Meth
August 29, 2019
Darrius Howard was convicted of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine 200 grams or more.
During an undercover operation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit, an informant arrange to purchase a kilo of methamphetamine from co-defendant James Brown. Once the informant arrived at the buy location, hit was learned that Brown was in touch with two other men, including Howard, who supplied him with the meth. The bust was made once the drug transaction was complete.
Howard will be sentenced on September 3. He facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years.
Brown was previously convicted of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine 200 grams or more and sentenced to 15 years in state prison.
Cat Country Nominated For CMA Station Of The Year
August 29, 2019
Cat Country 98.7 has been nominated again for the CMA Station of the Year Award. The locally owned station won the prestigious award in 2017.
“Thi is is truly an honor and is shared with our Cat Country family,” morning host Brent Lane said.
The CMA Awards will air locally November 13 on WEAR 3.
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Portion Of Hilltop Road In Century To Be Closed Friday
August 29, 2019
Hilltop Road in Century will be closed from North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) to Alger Road beginning at 9 a.m. Friday for maintenance, according the Town of Century. A reopening timetable was not provided. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
ECUA Approves Rate Hike For Water, Sewer And Garbage
August 28, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority approved a rate increases for water, sewer and sanitation customers effective October 1.
Tuesday, the ECUA board approved a 2.3% rate increase for water and sewer, which ECUA said translates to just a few cents for the average customer.
“For the single-family residential, it means an increase of .28 on the base rate and an increase on the volume charge of .06. In total, the proposed increase to a household with an average consumption of 6,000 gallons would be an increase of .64 per month,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said about water rates.
For sewer, the base rate increase equates to 33 cents plus 17 center thousand gallons, or $1.01 for the average residential customer.
Following a motion by District 5 board member Larry Walker, the motion to increase water and sewer rates pass unanimously.
The board also approved a sanitation rate increase on a 3-1 vote, with District 1 member Vicki Campbell dissenting.
Base sanitation collection rates will increase 5%, but a disposal fee on sanitation bills will remain constant. For single family residential customers with one 90-gallon or smaller container, the sanitation rate will increase 91 cents from $23.25 to $24.16.
The water, sewer and sanitation rate increases also includes commercial accounts.
Trial Begins For Private Investigator Murder Suspect
August 28, 2019
Tuesday was the first full day of testimony in the case of a former crime scene investigator accused of murdering a woman for money and burying her body in Cantonment.
Ashley McArthur is charged with shooting and killing private investigator and former police officer Taylor Wright over $34,000. Earlier this year, she was sentenced to seven years in state prison for racketeering and organized fraud in an unrelated case.
On September 14, 2017, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. The money has since been spent.
On September 14, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. They money has since been spent.
McArthur’s phone records never showed her in the area of the family property in East Milton, instead her phone showed her in the area of Beulah on September 8 from 11:52 a.m. until 1:44 p.m. and again from 2:40 p.m. until 3:33 p.m. Police discovered that McArthur’s family has property at 2201 Britt Road, in the same area as her phone indicated.
Pictured top: Taylor Wright. Pictured mugshot, inset: Ashley McArthur.
Entire Panhandle Will Get A New Area Code; The 850 Numbers Are Running Out
August 28, 2019
The 850 area code is running out of available phone numbers, and an additional area code would be added under a plan under consideration by state regulators.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which oversees area code planning across the nation, said the 850 area code will run out of available photo numbers in the first quarter of 2022. They have petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission for a new area code that will overlay the existing 850 area code.
The PSC will consider the request at a September 6 workshop meeting.
If approved the new area code would cover the same area as the current 850 area code, which includes Escambia County to Tallahassee.
The new area code would go into service in 2021, with a transition period before the 850 runs out of numbers. The addition will require 10-digit dialing in all of Northwest Florida .
All existing customers would retain the 850 area code and would not have to change their telephone numbers, according to the PSC.
How To Get Married In Alabama Changes Thursday
August 28, 2019
Effective Thursday, getting married in Alabama no longer involves a license, just filling out an application, having it notarized and taking it to the local probate judge’s office.
“The new law removes the need for a marriage license to be obtained in advance. Additionally, while couples certainly may have a ceremony if they wish, a ceremony will no longer be required,” according to the Escambia County (AL) Probate Office.
Persons wishing to marry will no longer file an application for a marriage license with the county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses. Probate judges will instead accept notarized forms completed by couples as official records of marriage.
Once the probate court records the completed marriage certificate form, the marriage is legal. A wedding ceremony may be performed, but a ceremony will no longer be required for a recognized marriage in Alabama. The elimination of marriage licenses will not affect any other aspects of marriage in Alabama, including divorce, spousal support, child support and child custody.
The marriage certificate form can be downloaded at the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website.
A recording fee established by each county probate court must be paid to the court at the time the form is presented for recording. In Escambia County (AL), that fee is $75.
The probate office must receive and file the original form, but a certified copy will be provided to the couple for their personal records. The effective date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the signatures of the spouses.
Volunteers Still Needed To Help Repair Miracle League Field
August 28, 2019
The Miracle League of Pensacola still needs volunteers to help them prepare a damaged filed in time for their falls season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface. All of the tiles must be removed, pressure washed and replace. This will require a “massive” number of volunteers and hours of service, according to league officials.
They will be working each evening this week, weather permitting at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers may need gloves, but no other tools are required.
The park is located at 555 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of Nine Mile and Airway Drive.
Pictured: Scores of volunteers have helped with repairs for the Miracle League, including these Tate High School baseball players. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Club Donates Hydration Packs For ECSO K-9 Unit
August 28, 2019
The Five Flags Rotary Club donated 15 hydration packs to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
Deputy B. Baker and K-9 Triton, and Deputy T. Bortner and K-9 Zeek attended their weekly luncheon on Monday. Master Deputy Gulsby thanked Five Flags for the donation and had Deputy Baker showed off the hydration packs and discussed how they will help K-9s and officers in the field.
After lunch, club members were able to meet and greet the K-9s.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Killed In I-10 Crash
August 27, 2019
An Escambia County man was killed when he crashed into a concrete barrier wall on I-10 Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Jasson Skot Smith was traveling west on I-10 approaching Davis Highway when he lost control, left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier wall.
Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.